Fair board under state investigation

FINDLAY — The Hancock County Agricultural Society is currently the subject of an investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, according to an email from the agency. An ODA spokesperson told The Courier Wednesday they could not go into detail about the specific nature of the allegations. Earlier this month, The Courier made a public records request to the ODA for documentation regarding complaints made against the Hancock County Agricultural Society, but was told that no records could be made available because of the nature of the agency's ongoing investigation into allegations against the board. "Please be aware that your request includes confidential law enforcement records which are from an ongoing investigation," states a response to The Courier regarding the request. In a follow-up email asking for clarification on the matter being investigated, an ODA spokesperson said, "The ODA is currently investigating allegations which it has jurisdiction over. Portions that fall outside our purview may be referred to other agencies. Because there is a current investigation, your requested information cannot be disclosed." The ODA claims the requested public records fall under the Confidential Law Enforcement Investigatory Records (CLEIRS) exemption, which pertains to records involving criminal, quasi-criminal or administrative matters. "Therefore there are no records which are subject to disclosure under Ohio law," the response to the records request said. Hancock County Commissioner Jeff Hunker said Wednesday he had not been made aware of the investigation. The Hancock County Commissioners will have to make a decision before the end of the year in regard to whether or not the Ag. Society will continue to receive money from the hotel-motel "bed" tax in the new year after previously voting to withhold the last quarterly payment to the society of almost $75,000. Hunker confirmed the commissioners have not yet released this money. Requests for comment left for board secretary and fair manager Haley Reese and board President Levi Beagle were not returned by Wednesday deadline.